Manchester Pride is a Protest!

Short film exploring the commercialisation of gay pride. Filmed in 2007 and 2008 on location in Manchester by the Queer Youth Network.

We raise some controversial questions..

Does Pride no longer concern itself the needs of the entire LGBT community?

Why do corporate sponsors and rich gay charities now dominate the festival landscape all over the UK?

Is Profit put before Pride and what does the future hold for Manchester Pride and others around the country?

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Manchester
• gay
• pride
• 2008
• lgbt
• queer
• youth
• get
• bent
• pink
• pound
• canal
• street
• charity
• stonewall
• lgf
• 2007
• lgym
• lesbian
• bisexual
• transgender
• parade
• march
• protest
• mardi
• gras
• london

[leatherpup]

remember.... some of the charities need new kitchens! classic!

[Individual666]

Manchester Pride is an abomination! Pride should be a free community event inclusive of all those in the LGBTQ community and allies.

Stevedh68, I find your comment extremely offensive. This isn't about whether or not we can afford to pay for pride; it's about the fact that we shouldn't have to pay whether we can afford to or not. Many of the people taking part in pride is a protest do have jobs but that doesn't mean that they should have to pay to show that they are proud of who they are.

[stuartadderley]

I am shocked at the amount of money that is brought in and the small amount that goes to charity. But I enjoy it and glad it is a ticketed event. Only people who really want to attend will pay. Keeping yobs out. And we wouldn't get the level of entertainment we did if we didn't pay. If you don't way to pay £21 then buy before the price goes up, I tink I only paid £14 or something.

[prestonboi79]

if you buy in advance its £12.50. thats the equivalent of £3.12 for a days entry if you attend every day. the same price as one pint! Get a grip.

[bigbullet2009]

Was annoyed this year to find that Womens Space took Sackville Gardens from us on the Sunday a place where there is an AIDS memorial where men could not access to pay their respects.Disgusting!

[yorkiemarillion]

I went to manchester pride once and decided it was simply not worth the money. I can go down Canal Street any time for free and the 'extra' things/entertainment were poor.

The only bonus is that the ticketing keeps the event largely gay only.

But I agree with the principle - Pride should be free and non exclusive.

[twiselton]

If you'd watch the videos properly and listen to what people are saying, you'd see that your comment is totally moronic. The Queer Youth Network have a right to publicize their thoughts and comments like yours prove our point of how protests aren't being taken seriously.

Many people are too young to afford to even get to Manchester, let alone pay to get in. And they may not have the financial support older people can have- not being out to their parents means they can't ask for money to go etc

[gggggaaaaarrrrryyyyy]

Seems SOMEONES got a Bee in their prissy lycra boob tubed Gay Bonnet whilst clattering down Canal street in her winkle picked Stilletoes(evidently an over opinionate Queen,steevedh68)Some of us gay OR straight have high powered jobs such as myself and I can guarantee I make more in a day than this gobby prick makes in a Month,so less of the"saving up" My point being is people do not want to pay over inflated priced and be subjected to catching all sorts from the disgraceful toilet fascilities.

[steevedh68]

'I don't know a single person who has gone this year, and that includes everyone I know both in Manchester and West Yorkshire'.

Maybe if you went you would meet more people.

Everyone I know went, even from that London.

£20? wereyou buying your tickets from touts, you numpty?

[steevedh68]

Yawn,yawn,yawn...

Radical lesbians trying to ruin everyone else's fun. If you cannot afford it, save up your benefit or get a job!

[Rillington2000]

Indeed, and it hasn't gone un-noticed that all the venues charge a 'booking fee' which is a purchase fee which goes into their pockets. That's another major reason why i didn't go as wella s the afct that many put the drinks prices up just for the weekend. Greed greed greed.

The organisers said that they paid £50,000 this year which probably works out at 2K per venue. However, they will make many times more than that, not least by putting up the drinks and entry prices.